Why Can't the Cowboys Run the Ball in the First Quarter?

TIGHT END/FULLBACK

Jake Schultz: 13 snaps, 60.1 offensive grade

Josiah Johnson: 27 snaps, 56.5 offensive grade

Braden Cassity: 15 snaps, 54.5 offensive grade

Quinton Stewart: 14 snaps, 49.9 offensive grade

OFFENSIVE LINE

Joe Michalski: 65 snaps, 67.2 offensive grade

Taylor Miterko: 22 snaps, 65.9 offensive grade

Dalton Cooper: 65 snaps, 58.1 offensive grade

Preston Wilson: 43 snaps, 51.4 offensive grade

Jason Brooks: 65 snaps, 51.1 offensive grade

Cole Birmingham: 65 snaps, 45.5 offensive grade

Again running almost exclusively zone we continue to struggle up front. I think with a combination of minimal first half attempts combined with a fresh opponent in the first half we are seeing the poor running game. Seems like after we wear the defense down some and cranked up the attempts the rushing attack improves dramatically in the second half. Also penalties have killed some good first half runs as well.

Maybe its play selection. I would think that with two big tight ends and a fullback in front Big O could do some
damage. Also Mr Collins as well. I don't think being one dimensional in the first half will work in conference play.
#2 Cowboy

I definitely think the play selection is intentional. I think they will hold out as long as possible staying vanilla. I also believe if our fullbacks and tight ends can even become average then it will help the lineman and run game in general pretty significantly. Right now we aren't running really anything new so the lack of good play up front is concerning. We are veteran up front running base stuff so not super encouraging. Also not rotating the lineman so it seems we don't trust our depth after all

What happened to Birmingham and Brooks? Seemed to have regressed. I hope they get it sorted.

Offensive line continues to struggle (first half at ASU was the worst I can remember)....scheme....not making adjustments within the half.....three QBs playing....probably some talent issues....I do not get paid to figure it out but it has been this way for several years. I am just a fan for 60+ years so what do I know other than it does not look promising for this season. GO POKES!!!

Beats me. But just guessing, Gundy will have the Pokes about seven and one heading into bedlam, give or take one win/loss. But it never seems easy or makes much sense!

Pretty obvious what the problem is, our O-line hasn't been really good since Joe Wickline left, below average since then.

TeaTownCowboy said:

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Pretty obvious what the problem is, our O-line hasn't been really good since Joe Wickline left, below average since then.

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that's just not true, and it was bad WHEN Wickline left - that was a huge controversy then

you can look this stuff up instead of just spewing nonsense

I totally agree. We've had some decent lines here and there but as a whole since wickline left it's been down. I remember when our lines were in the conversation with the bamas of the world as a top unit. It's been on a decline since. Seems like we've missed on landing the right coach ever since. Henson was our best recruiter and had a chance but he left so soon. Otherwise it's been guys on the backend of their careers.